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How to Write a Dynamite Scene Using the Snowflake Method
Want to Write a Dynamite Novel? The secret to writing a dynamite novel is to first write a dynamite scene. Because if you can write one terrific scene, you can write a hundred. And that’s a novel. This is a short book, with just one goal—to teach you the simple principles you can use right now to design a powerful scene before you write it. If you’ve already written your novel, you can use these same principles to make each scene better. About the Book How to Write a Dynamite Scene Using the Snowflake Method will give you the power tools you need to write scenes that move your reader’s emotions. You’ll The one thing your reader most desperately wants. And why. How to decide which character should have the point of view. The 2 kinds of scenes designed to give your reader a powerful emotional experience—and how to know which to use. 5 ways to test that your lead character’s goal in each scene is perfect. How to end every scene so it leaves your reader wanting more. Why dilemmas are good, and how to know when they’re ruining your story. 4 ways to know that your character’s decision will drive your story forward. How to know when a scene is broken—and how to fix it. Excerpt from Chapter 1: Your reader desperately wants one thing. You have it in your power to give your reader that one thing. And what is that one thing? I could tell you what that one thing is, and you would nod and agree that yes, that one thing is clearly something all readers want. But telling you that one thing wouldn’t make it stick in your mind forever. I want it to stick. I’d rather show you that one thing. Once you’ve seen it, once you’ve lived it, you’ll never forget it. That one thing will be inside you, fueling everything you write. So let me tell you a quick story about one of our ancestors who lived many thousands of years ago in a small village on this planet we call home. When I say he’s our ancestor, I mean it literally—he’s your ancestor and he’s my ancestor and he’s every human’s ancestor. That ancestor of ours was once a thirteen-year-old boy, the newest man in the village, and the smallest. Imagine you’re that boy on the day when word comes to the village that there’s a killer tiger ravaging the village’s herd of goats. The Tale of the Tiger You’re furious. A drought has been burning the land for many months. That herd of goats is all that keeps your village from starvation. You’re also terrified. There’s only one way to get rid of a killer tiger. The village has to organize a hunt, find the tiger, and kill it. But that won’t be easy, because there’s nothing more dangerous in your world than a killer tiger. The village headman sends word around to the whole village. All men meet in the village square, and bring your spear. When the messenger comes to your hut, he shakes his head and frowns. He thinks you’re too young to go. In your heart, you’re afraid he’s right.
- GenresWritingNonfictionCrafts
156 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 11, 2018
About the author
Randy Ingermanson
12 books308 followersI'm a novelist, physicist, and fiction teacher. People around the world call me "the Snowflake Guy" because of my wildly popular "Snowflake method" for writing a novel.
I've published 6 novels and won about a dozen awards for my writing. I'm a theoretical physicist with a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley. I publish the world's largest electronic newsletter on how to write fiction. I run the software division at Vala Sciences, a biotech company in San Diego.
Why do I do all this? Because I like to. Life is too short to do things you don't like to do.
I've published 6 novels and won about a dozen awards for my writing. I'm a theoretical physicist with a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley. I publish the world's largest electronic newsletter on how to write fiction. I run the software division at Vala Sciences, a biotech company in San Diego.
Why do I do all this? Because I like to. Life is too short to do things you don't like to do.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
January 18, 2024
[Update 1-17-24] It was brought to my attention that I placed this review on the wrong book. This review is actually for Randy Ingermanson's other book: "How to Write a Novel Using the Snowflake Method"
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I'm giving this book my rating only because the concept is brilliant and so helpful. It's clear Randy Ingermanson knows his stuff and I really appreciate that he consistently reminds the reader that his method doesn't work for everyone. (It does work for me, and I will be using it in the future.)
That said, I was bummed he used such a simplistic story to show his method. He mentions one should keep their target audience in mind when writing their book, so why he chose Goldilocks and the three bears as his story, I do not know. 😳 I would have instead preferred he use one of his thriller books as an example.
I highly recommend this book for the concept it presents; a lot of the pertinent information can be found in the last pages of the book. His Snowflake Method can also be found for free online. I really appreciate Ingermanson sharing his brilliant method with other readers; it certainly saves a lot of time on both story preparation and editing.
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I'm giving this book my rating only because the concept is brilliant and so helpful. It's clear Randy Ingermanson knows his stuff and I really appreciate that he consistently reminds the reader that his method doesn't work for everyone. (It does work for me, and I will be using it in the future.)
That said, I was bummed he used such a simplistic story to show his method. He mentions one should keep their target audience in mind when writing their book, so why he chose Goldilocks and the three bears as his story, I do not know. 😳 I would have instead preferred he use one of his thriller books as an example.
I highly recommend this book for the concept it presents; a lot of the pertinent information can be found in the last pages of the book. His Snowflake Method can also be found for free online. I really appreciate Ingermanson sharing his brilliant method with other readers; it certainly saves a lot of time on both story preparation and editing.
May 27, 2018
Me da mucha pena darle solamente dos estrellas. Randy Ingermanson es un excelente maestro y el contenido de este libro es muy bueno. Lo malo es el título con el que lo anuncia. Promete usar el método del copo de nieve para crear escenas y no es cierto. Enseña lo que casi todos los libros de escritura enseñan, qué son, para qué sirven y cómo hacer las escenas proactivas y reactivas. Eso lo aprendí hace mucho tiempo. Si el título anunciara las escenas proactivas y reactivas simplemente no lo habría comprado. Se sirven de la promesa de enseñar cómo hacer escenas con el método del copo de nieve y no es así. Tan solo lo mencionan porque uno de los pasos de este método, concretamente el noveno, se trata de escribir escenas. Espero que esta reseña aclare lo que realmente contiene el libro para que quienes ya sepan hacer esto, piensen si comprarlo o no. Si alguien no sabe nada acerca de escenas proactivas y reactivas entonces el libro está muy bien.
February 13, 2021
I wish I read this book sooner! This was incredibly helpful to me in ensuring my readers keep the pages turning. I learned so much about writing an emotionally powerful scene, the different kinds of scenes, and what they entail. I will be using what I've learned to edit my novel and will use this method going forward when outlining future works.
May 18, 2018
I always enjoy the style Randy uses to impress the information into manageable chunks. If I could get every writer to at read at least one of his books, I'm sure they'd see how it frees them to be exceptionally creative without having to worry about 'how it all fits together' - because it's clearly explained. And the boundaries it gives enables limitless access to creativity within those bounds.
I love it.
I love it.
June 13, 2021
I really like the way the author breaks down how to write scenes and I appreciate the examples he uses to illustrate his points. Both books in the series are excellent for new writers, writers who find themselves up against a brick wall, or experienced writers who want a fresh take. I thoroughly enjoyed them.
March 18, 2022
If you're new to fiction writing, don't make the same mistake I did and read this book AFTER you've already written your novel. For my next novel, I plan to listen through sections 2 & 3 of this book as I write each scene until I have the principles down.
I highly recommend chapter 1 of this book to everyone--regardless of whether you have any interest in writing. The chapter brilliantly describes the crucial role fiction plays in our lives by teaching "emotional muscle memory" to enable us to face hard moments in life.
The book has 4 sections.
Section 1 defines the fundamentals of what makes a story in very simple terms. A story is a character in a crucible. And every scene must be a story, with a character in a crucible.
Section 2 walks through the nuts and bolts of a proactive scene.
Section 3 walks through the nuts and bolts of a reactive scene.
Section 4 describes how to identify and fix broken scenes.
The book is very well-written and engaging with plenty of examples from three stories--Hunger Games, Outlander, and The Godfather.
I highly recommend chapter 1 of this book to everyone--regardless of whether you have any interest in writing. The chapter brilliantly describes the crucial role fiction plays in our lives by teaching "emotional muscle memory" to enable us to face hard moments in life.
The book has 4 sections.
Section 1 defines the fundamentals of what makes a story in very simple terms. A story is a character in a crucible. And every scene must be a story, with a character in a crucible.
Section 2 walks through the nuts and bolts of a proactive scene.
Section 3 walks through the nuts and bolts of a reactive scene.
Section 4 describes how to identify and fix broken scenes.
The book is very well-written and engaging with plenty of examples from three stories--Hunger Games, Outlander, and The Godfather.
March 21, 2019
Excellent short book on the structure of a scene. Get a hard copy of this book and you will not be disappointed.
November 20, 2021
I first read his snowflake methods articles years ago and finally decided to read his books as I've been struggling with NaNoWriMo. I love having a good model/formula to help work through things even if I break the rules. This provided that but I didn't get a whole lot more value than I did from the short article on the site.
August 7, 2018
I've benefited from Ingermanson's How To Write A Novel Using The Snowflake Method for years, so when I saw this new title on writing scenes, I grabbed it. It's good information, presented in a readable and useful manner. Ingermanson illuminates his instruction using examples from 3 well-known novels, making his points crystal-clear. Overall, it's a good resource for those who need help with the challenge of writing compelling scenes.
The title is a bit misleading, as the book doesn't seem to use the Snowflake Method. Rather, Ingermanson deftly explains what many other books on writing scenes present about proactive vs. reactive scenes. This is another good scene-writing manual, though if you've read other good books about writing scenes, this may not present anything new.
I like Ingermanson's approach, and I felt good buying the book because, as I mentioned, I've benefited for so long from his Snowflake Method concept. If you're struggling with writing scenes that keep a reader interested, I recommend this book. If you're already a seasoned fiction writer of at least intermediate-level skill, I suggest moving on to Damon Knight's Creating Short Fiction, Ursula LeGuin's Steering the Craft, Stephen King's On Writing, Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird, Josip Novakovich's Fiction Writer's Workshop, and if you really think you know what you're doing, try John Gardner's The Art of Fiction or James Wood's How Fiction Works.
Friendly Advice for 2 Types of Writer:
1. If you don't absolutely have to write fiction, by all means, do something else.
2. If you're irresistibly compelled to write fiction, KEEP WRITING, and never, ever give up.
The title is a bit misleading, as the book doesn't seem to use the Snowflake Method. Rather, Ingermanson deftly explains what many other books on writing scenes present about proactive vs. reactive scenes. This is another good scene-writing manual, though if you've read other good books about writing scenes, this may not present anything new.
I like Ingermanson's approach, and I felt good buying the book because, as I mentioned, I've benefited for so long from his Snowflake Method concept. If you're struggling with writing scenes that keep a reader interested, I recommend this book. If you're already a seasoned fiction writer of at least intermediate-level skill, I suggest moving on to Damon Knight's Creating Short Fiction, Ursula LeGuin's Steering the Craft, Stephen King's On Writing, Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird, Josip Novakovich's Fiction Writer's Workshop, and if you really think you know what you're doing, try John Gardner's The Art of Fiction or James Wood's How Fiction Works.
Friendly Advice for 2 Types of Writer:
1. If you don't absolutely have to write fiction, by all means, do something else.
2. If you're irresistibly compelled to write fiction, KEEP WRITING, and never, ever give up.
December 10, 2018
After four half finished projects, it's official - discovery writing is not for me. I've been sifting through various outlining methods over the past few months, and Randy's snowflake method is by far the best I've come across (for me that is).
Not only does Randy's snowflake method feel like it was designed with my ADHD brain in mind, the way he breaks down the creative process really drove home scene structure for me. There's nothing particularly new in here I didn't already 'know', but I found the way he describes the active/reactive, scene/sequel process to be far more digestible than in other fiction writing books I've read.
If you're looking to understand the science of scene writing, this book is worth your time. If you have trouble discovery writing or using traditional outlining, I recommend looking into the snowflake method (Advanced Fiction Writing Book 1). The book is worth the purchase, but you can just as easily look up the method online.
Not only does Randy's snowflake method feel like it was designed with my ADHD brain in mind, the way he breaks down the creative process really drove home scene structure for me. There's nothing particularly new in here I didn't already 'know', but I found the way he describes the active/reactive, scene/sequel process to be far more digestible than in other fiction writing books I've read.
If you're looking to understand the science of scene writing, this book is worth your time. If you have trouble discovery writing or using traditional outlining, I recommend looking into the snowflake method (Advanced Fiction Writing Book 1). The book is worth the purchase, but you can just as easily look up the method online.
July 9, 2021
Randy Ingermanson, “The Snowflake Guy” is the go-to guy for solid how-to instruction for the aspiring fiction writer. The inventor of the Snowflake method and the author of the two volumes Advanced Fiction Writing set—How to Write A Novel Using The Snowflake Method and How to Write A Dynamic Scene Using The Snowflake Method — is the man who can take a complete neophyte and set him on the road to becoming a pro fictioneer.
Randy not only talks the talk, but walks the walk, as an award-winning novelist and publisher of the award-winning free Advanced Fiction Writing E-zine. Randy has over twenty years teaching experience behind him and is devoted to share all that he has learned through trial and error to every aspiring writer.
How to Write A Dynamic Scene Using The Snowflake Method can be read first but to get the most from this awesome book, I advise you to read How to Write A Novel Using The Snowflake Method, which is volume one in the two book series.
Over the forty-plus years that I have earned my living as ghostwriter on nonfiction books for the electrical and electronics industries, I have read many books on the craft of writing. Sadly, most of them were very dull and boring reads because most of them were nothing more than the compendiums of rules, do’s and don’ts. The Snowflake Guy’s books are anything but dull reading. He teaches by showing you how to apply those rules and principles without beating you over the head with them.
Do you aspire to become a bestselling author of novels, then you need to read these books. They need to be on your reference book bookshelf.
Randy not only talks the talk, but walks the walk, as an award-winning novelist and publisher of the award-winning free Advanced Fiction Writing E-zine. Randy has over twenty years teaching experience behind him and is devoted to share all that he has learned through trial and error to every aspiring writer.
How to Write A Dynamic Scene Using The Snowflake Method can be read first but to get the most from this awesome book, I advise you to read How to Write A Novel Using The Snowflake Method, which is volume one in the two book series.
Over the forty-plus years that I have earned my living as ghostwriter on nonfiction books for the electrical and electronics industries, I have read many books on the craft of writing. Sadly, most of them were very dull and boring reads because most of them were nothing more than the compendiums of rules, do’s and don’ts. The Snowflake Guy’s books are anything but dull reading. He teaches by showing you how to apply those rules and principles without beating you over the head with them.
Do you aspire to become a bestselling author of novels, then you need to read these books. They need to be on your reference book bookshelf.
July 25, 2022
In this book, Ingermanson describes his method for writing scenes. His method is a variation on the most popular scene writing techniques amongst fiction writers: the Scene-Sequel method created by Dwight Swain. (You can find Swain's description of the method in his classic text Techniques of the Selling Writer.)
I meet a lot of writers who have no idea that there's any kind of structure for a scene to follow. That's a bummer, because adopting a structure is one of the easiest ways to improve your scenes.
I recommend this book over other books that present variations on Scene-Sequel, because Ingermanson’s description is the most thorough and accessible. My editing clients have told me this book is one of the most helpful writing books they've ever read.
What it covers:
+ Attributes of all scenes
+ What makes a good Proactive Scene (One that has a goal, and that others would call a “Scene” in the “Scene-Sequel” system.)
+ What makes a good Reactive Scene (One with a dilemma and a decision that would be called a “Sequel” in Scene-Sequel.)
+ Troubleshooting problems with your scenes
I meet a lot of writers who have no idea that there's any kind of structure for a scene to follow. That's a bummer, because adopting a structure is one of the easiest ways to improve your scenes.
I recommend this book over other books that present variations on Scene-Sequel, because Ingermanson’s description is the most thorough and accessible. My editing clients have told me this book is one of the most helpful writing books they've ever read.
What it covers:
+ Attributes of all scenes
+ What makes a good Proactive Scene (One that has a goal, and that others would call a “Scene” in the “Scene-Sequel” system.)
+ What makes a good Reactive Scene (One with a dilemma and a decision that would be called a “Sequel” in Scene-Sequel.)
+ Troubleshooting problems with your scenes
August 4, 2019
We all understand that Chapters run the novel, but those are of little importance. The important part of your novel will be those small scenes that make up your chapters. Scenes are a must and chapters are more of a writer's preference of pacing and style.
This book is extremely detailed on the subject of forming and building scenes that capture your reader's attention. If anything, I would say this is the best book to grab to study the structure of scene building. Some of the rules do seem to be pushed on you; and I can see some people having problems or arguing against this method of story telling, but the truth is that this is what creates fast works and causes you to produce more stories.
Randy Ingermanson has another book that covers the snowflake method, but that is a more general course, and this is a focused course on scenes. If you need help with that particular element of writing, I would recommend this one!
This book is extremely detailed on the subject of forming and building scenes that capture your reader's attention. If anything, I would say this is the best book to grab to study the structure of scene building. Some of the rules do seem to be pushed on you; and I can see some people having problems or arguing against this method of story telling, but the truth is that this is what creates fast works and causes you to produce more stories.
Randy Ingermanson has another book that covers the snowflake method, but that is a more general course, and this is a focused course on scenes. If you need help with that particular element of writing, I would recommend this one!
February 3, 2019
Praise for the clear, engaging writing style. Have read other books on the topic of scene-writing, and they feel floppy and loose. Ingermanson's approach provides a platform, not a prescription. Only missing the fifth star because of the fundamental premise: that Story is about delivering emotional impact to the reader. Not a universal, as many great novels operate under a different fundamental attitude towards storytelling (e.g. The Great Gatsby). Also, non-standard terminology to describe the same element creates a lack of coherency in writing systems (Ingermanson's Character & Crucible is Aaron Sorkin's Intention & Obstacle; Ingermanson's Proactive and Reactive scenes are Dwight Swain's Scene and Sequel) which reduces effectiveness. Still, many of his insights are philosophy-independent, strategically sound. Would recommend.
June 4, 2023
Absolutely loved the first book on the Snowflake method, but maybe that created a problem for me on this one. The original book was all about a methodological approach to structure as it relates to developing the overall story. That was fantastic. This one didn't feel like it had the same approach. Rather than explain a step-by-step 'how and why' to writing scenes, it was mostly just defining the high level anatomy of proactive and reactive scenes (which is a great way to think about them), and the goal/crucible/setback substructure underneath them (also very useful). My main problem was that after defining these things, and explaining what they were, the book didn't really provide much of a methodological approach to creating them. As such, it felt like the bulk of the material (good material, to be clear) in this book could have been presented in two chapters.
January 3, 2022
Excellent Writer's Guide for Improving Scenes
Author Randy Ingermanson has crafted an excellent step by step guide which explains not only the how to write effective scenes by creating miniatures stories, but also breaks down - fully defining - the importance of the ebb and flow throughout the overarching story by writing proactive and reactive scenes.
I was relieved and encouraged to discover I have unconsciously been writing similar to the method the authors discusses, it is helpful to become consciously aware of the formula for effective story telling. I made a lot of highlights and screenshots to refer back to. I highly recommend this book for beginning through intermediate writers.
Author Randy Ingermanson has crafted an excellent step by step guide which explains not only the how to write effective scenes by creating miniatures stories, but also breaks down - fully defining - the importance of the ebb and flow throughout the overarching story by writing proactive and reactive scenes.
I was relieved and encouraged to discover I have unconsciously been writing similar to the method the authors discusses, it is helpful to become consciously aware of the formula for effective story telling. I made a lot of highlights and screenshots to refer back to. I highly recommend this book for beginning through intermediate writers.
October 29, 2022
After reading How to Write a Novel Using the Snowflake Method, I devoured this one. After all, once you have your outline, you need scenes to fill out your book.
Randy Ingermanson has an easy to read style with clear examples that illustrate his methods. He uses techniques that other authors have written about, but explains them in a simple way. Now I pay attention to how one scene leads into the next, and my writing is much better. This book is very enjoyable and easy to understand. It doesn't take long to read. Definitely well worth my time, so I recommend it to you. Enjoy!
Randy Ingermanson has an easy to read style with clear examples that illustrate his methods. He uses techniques that other authors have written about, but explains them in a simple way. Now I pay attention to how one scene leads into the next, and my writing is much better. This book is very enjoyable and easy to understand. It doesn't take long to read. Definitely well worth my time, so I recommend it to you. Enjoy!
September 5, 2024
This book is a practical guide to fictional scene writing. It made me rethink how I write for the better, and I'll use this technique in the future.
Reading it is time well spent if you're an aspiring writer like me who lacks the fundamental tools to write good scenes. I knew there were good scenes in my head, but I didn't know how to organize them and channel them into good reading.
The book is geared toward utility and doesn't spend much time on lofty ideas, history, or anything else. Randy just wanted to teach me how to write a scene, and I think he succeeded. We'll see.
It is HIGHLY recommended.
Reading it is time well spent if you're an aspiring writer like me who lacks the fundamental tools to write good scenes. I knew there were good scenes in my head, but I didn't know how to organize them and channel them into good reading.
The book is geared toward utility and doesn't spend much time on lofty ideas, history, or anything else. Randy just wanted to teach me how to write a scene, and I think he succeeded. We'll see.
It is HIGHLY recommended.
May 20, 2018
Randy Ingermanson breaks the scene-writing process down in a clear and concise manner and has some fun doing it. He continues the theme from his "How to Write a Novel Using the Snowflake Method", honing in on individual scenes. He then shows how each "mini story" contributes to the big picture. Using some well-known examples, he points out how the process plays out to create stories that satisfy readers, and keep them turning pages. I loved the first book and I think I liked this one even more. A must-read, especially for new writers.
February 23, 2019
Answers a ton of questions
I find i'm really appreciative of Randy's books. I read the Snowflake book in one day and bought this one immediately after. What he does that's different is he anticipates your questions. He already knows what you'll experience as a writer, and he provides concrete empathy and solutions to guide you along. I have an idea for a second novel in my mind. After reading his books, he's made things so much clearer. I will follow the snowflake method for my next novel. Thank you, Randy, for 2 excellent books!
I find i'm really appreciative of Randy's books. I read the Snowflake book in one day and bought this one immediately after. What he does that's different is he anticipates your questions. He already knows what you'll experience as a writer, and he provides concrete empathy and solutions to guide you along. I have an idea for a second novel in my mind. After reading his books, he's made things so much clearer. I will follow the snowflake method for my next novel. Thank you, Randy, for 2 excellent books!
December 11, 2019
Avery informative book, but...
It's just tough to live up to the original snowflake method. I really wish you would have dreamed up a story for this, maybe even Goldilocks again with a different teacher.
I learned, but there are more informative books on scene writing out there. Consider this a "how to scenes: pocket edition"
It does use a lot of common language that snowflakers will easily digest, making this a good book for those who haven't studied scenes very hard but have studied the snowflake method.
It's just tough to live up to the original snowflake method. I really wish you would have dreamed up a story for this, maybe even Goldilocks again with a different teacher.
I learned, but there are more informative books on scene writing out there. Consider this a "how to scenes: pocket edition"
It does use a lot of common language that snowflakers will easily digest, making this a good book for those who haven't studied scenes very hard but have studied the snowflake method.
August 26, 2023
Ingermanson gave the Reader something to think about when writing his own Great Canadian/American/European/Where-Ever Novel. But, I have read many books and not all of them are jam packed with Reactive or Proactive Scenes. I've just finished 'The Lucifer Gospel' by Paul Christopher. Christopher must have read Ingermanson's book and took it to heart. Every scene was not stop action. It was jarring. Ingermanson's logic is that you don't want your Readers to stop reading, no matter what. But even Readers need to eat, sleep and poop! A well placed break in a story is welcoming.
July 18, 2018
As a writer and author, I live by the Snowflake Method. It's a great program that helps me organize my book. I absolutely love it. How to Write a Dynamite Scene went into the nuts and bolts of writing a book. Each scene must be a mini story. I read this book slowly in order to get as much from it as possible. There was so much to glean and a lot to learn. I know I'll be returning to this book many times.
February 7, 2019
I really like this how-to book. It provides you with a lot of valuable knowledge on what makes a good scene, and explains what makes a bad scene and gives you the tools and information to help fix scenes or ideas on when you need to just give up on a scene and move onto the next. He also gives solid examples of novels showing his information working for them. This is a great book if you're stuck on how to actually develop a scene.
April 20, 2020
As with Ingermanson’s other “Snowflake Method” book, these exercises are quite useful. I’m finding it’s giving me more thought as to how I can organize my writing and make it flow better to the reader. Highly recommend this book and his other “Snowflake Method” book on writing novels.
I’m going to give this one five stars if for no other reason that other writers should see these and give these books a chance, especially if you are a “pantser” in need of some structure.
I’m going to give this one five stars if for no other reason that other writers should see these and give these books a chance, especially if you are a “pantser” in need of some structure.
December 27, 2023
I don’t even remember why I bought this book and didn’t have high expectations, but it’s surprisingly excellent. A lot of good advice in only 141 pages with supporting examples. There’s no fluff: just great information. I plan to reread it multiple times to be sure that I’ve burned it into my brain.
Highly recommend. And will save beginner writers a lot of unnecessary heartache and rejection if the information is applied.
Highly recommend. And will save beginner writers a lot of unnecessary heartache and rejection if the information is applied.
December 8, 2018
This was an intensely satisfying read. The principles presented are so clean and useful and...just perfect. But at the same time they are rooted in deep truths about people and how they relate to stories. The elegance of the system makes me want to do a little happy dance in my bedroom.
Highly recommended to story nerds and basically anyone who enjoys figuring things out.
Highly recommended to story nerds and basically anyone who enjoys figuring things out.
January 23, 2021
This is the second book I read from Randy Ingermanson. For me, the best signal that a Book about writing is worth reading is when it is well written itself. And that is the case! The examples used (Godfather, Hunger Games, Outlander, etc) are ideal for what Ingermanson wants to demonstrate. It is a good addition to read this book after the previous one, "The Snowflake Method"
May 8, 2021
Explains step 9 of the snowflake method
I was halfway through the second draft of my first book when I heard about the snowflake method. This sequel has hugely improved the quality of my scenes. It has taken me over a year to get to this point with my WiP, but I feel that the sequel could take just a couple of months using this method.
I was halfway through the second draft of my first book when I heard about the snowflake method. This sequel has hugely improved the quality of my scenes. It has taken me over a year to get to this point with my WiP, but I feel that the sequel could take just a couple of months using this method.
December 27, 2021
Great book on how to write a dynamite! scene. Practical help on structuring and writing scene after scene of your book. I have found it to be just what I needed to strengthen my scenes. Now I have blueprint for creating proactive and reactive scenes. It's the magic sauce to writing a sequence of scenes that will keep the reader engaged page after page and chapter after chapter.
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